Maybe they won't destroy a place they regard as "holy"

Samvel Karapetyan, an Armenian architectural expert based in Yerevan, argued today that Armenians should be thankful that Turkish nationalists are planning to recite prayers at the ruined cathedral at Ani. He was referring to plans by Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to assembly supporters for prayers in the Ani ruins.

"We have reason to be glad, because for many centuries our holy sites were desecrated and turned into public toilets. Now they want to offer prayers in those same churches, he said, arguing that it meant that even the Turks regarded those sites as holy places. Mr. Karapetyan noted that when the Shushi church was liberated it had been turned into a toilet. He said the MHP was doing this to hurt the feelings of Armenians. As to the non-response by the Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate, Mr. Karapetyan said it was to be expected. "They don’t utter a word in protest when Armenian structures are being destroyed. Why would they react to Turks praying in our church?" he rhetorically asked. While the expert could not say for sure how many Armenian churches exist in Turkey today, he noted that there were over 2,000 in 1912. "Only about 10% of their remains can be found today," he said, adding that in 10-15 years there would be nothing at all left if the current Turkish policy continues at the same rate. "Every day is vital," Mr. Karapetyan stated, arguing that a solution could only come at a state level, by raising the issue at various international tribunals. He said it was vital to at least record it all down on paper, to photograph it for history. "They are destroying all traces of our Armenian national existence in our very home. The struggle of each people is to retain the fatherland."